Travel Requirements

Getting to South Sudan

Juba International Airport, located in Juba, Central Equatoria State, is served by a number of international airlines, including Sudan Airways, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

South Sudan can also be reached overland from North Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ethiopia.

On Arrival

The only authority in South Sudan is the Government of South Sudan based in Juba, the capital of Central Equatoria State. Any visitor going to Sudan through Khartoum requires a valid visa.

Immigration regulations stipulate that anyone currently going to South Sudan needs to obtain a travel permit from the Government of South Sudan's (GOSS) Ministry of Regional Cooperation Mission Offices abroad, supervised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Issuance of Visas through South Sudan Embassies

Kenya

Health

Vaccination is highly recommended for those travelling to South Sudan, especially for the first time.

During the rainy season, it is advised to have vaccination against Typhoid while in the dry season, it is advised to have the vaccination against Cholera. Other vaccinations include Malaria, Menengitis and Yellow Fever.

Please note: If traveling out of South Sudan through Kenya, you will require a Yellow Fever certificate in order to enter. Failure to have the certificate means you will be vaccinated at the airport before being released.

Currencies

The unit of currency is the Sudanese Pound. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference. Hard currency cash can be changed for local currency at banks and private bureaux de change in all large towns.

Language

Educated South Sudanese are generally fluent in English, which is the official language. Juba Arabic serves as something of a lingua franca in Juba and in towns around the border with North Sudan. However, South Sudan has over 50 indigenous languages and dialects.

When To Visit

There are two main seasons: wet and dry. Take or give one month, the wet season begins roughly about the end of April and ends about the end of November, followed by dry season.

The closer one moves to the Equator, the longer the wet season while the further north from the Equator, the shorter the wet season and the longer the dry season. So the climate varies from very hot and humid in the wet season and very hot and dry in the dry season. There are variations of course, depending on the altitude and the season.

What To Wear

Although light clothes are recommended during the dry season, December and January in particular, the temperature drops at night and can be pretty cold in some locations. A sleeping bag or a blanket may come in handy.

What To Bring

Anti-malarial drugs and water purification equipment or tablets are highly recommended. Bottled water can also be purchased locally as many small shops in most locations are well stocked with basic items. A mosquito net and/or mosquito repellant is also a necessity.

Driving

Driving is on the right side. Visitors without experience of African roads are advised to organise a vehicle with a driver rather than self-drive.